Fermion Quantum Field Theory In Black-hole Spacetimes
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Abstract
The need to construct a fermion quantum field theory in
black-hole spacetimes is an acute one. The study of
gravitational collapse necessitates the need of such. In
this dissertation, we construct the theory of free fermions
living on the static Schwarzschild black-hole and the
rotating Kerr black-hole. The construction capitalises
upon the fact that both black-holes are stationary
axisymmetric solutions to Einstein's equation. A
factorisability ansatz is developed whereby simple
quantum modes can be found, for such stationary
spacetimes with azimuthal symmetry. These modes are
then employed for the purposes of a canonical
quantisation of the corresponding fermionic theory. At
the same time, we suggest that it may be impossible to
extend a quantum field theory continuously across an
event horizon. This split of a quantum field theory ensures
the thermal character of the Hawking radiation. In our
case, we compute and prove that the spectrum of
neutrinos emitted from a black-hole via the Hawking
process is indeed thermal. We also study fermion
scattering amplitudes off the Schwarzschild black-hole.